Chapter 7 Cognition Flashcards
3 box/ info processing
- model of how memory works
- 3 stages before info is stored
1) held in sensory memory
2) some encoded in short term memory
3) some encoded in long term memory
Memory
Any indication that learning has persisted.
2 diff models
- 3 box/information processing, retrieval
- levels of processing model, retrieval
Sensory memory
- where memory is first processed according to the 3 box model
- info held here as your senses are processing it, stored for very short amount of time
- iconic and echoic memory
George sperling
- Experiment demonstrated iconic memory
- right after a 3x3 grid of letters was flashed at participants, they could recall any of the 3 rows perfectly
Iconic memory
Type of sensory memory, split-second perfect photograph of a scene
- researched by george sperling
Echoic memory
Type of sensory memory, 3-4 second perfect memory for sounds
Short term memory
- where some sensory memory can be encoded in depending on your selective attention (what your paying attention to at the moment)
- according to 3 box model
- memories stored as visual, acoustic, or semantic codes
- temporary, fade 10-30 sec, unless you rehearse it
- limited to about 7 items (George miller), unless you use chunking
Selective attention
- what you are attending to, what is important to you
- determines what will be stored in short term memory
Semantic code
Type of short term memory referring to the meaning of an event
Chunking
- A method to expand number of items that can be kept in short term memory
- grouping the items ex: mnemonic devices
George miller
- studied capacity of short term memory with experiments
- limited to about 7 items
Long term memory
- In 3 box model, Where more permanent storage for memories takes place
- unlimited capacity
- we will most likely remember long term memories for the rest of our lives
- can be stored as episodic, semantic, or procedural memory
- can be implicit or explicit
Episodic memory
Type of long term memory
- memory of specific events in sequential order
Semantic memory
Type of long term memory
- memory of general world knowledge not stored sequentially, but as facts, meanings, etc
Procedural memory
Type of long term memory
- memory of a skill and how to perform it
Implicit memory
Type of long term memory
- unintentional memory you might not even realize you have
Explicit memory
Type of long term memory
- memories we have consciously tried to remember
Eidetic memory
Aka photographic memory
- rare condition where you have powerful and enduring visual images of what you witnessed resulting in perfect memory recall
- studied by Alexandra luria
Alexandra luria
- studied patients with eidetic memory
Levels of processing
- model of how memory works
- memories either deeply(elaboratively) processed or shallowly (maintenance) processed
- we remember what we spend more cognitive time and energy processing
- more processing, more remembering
Retrieval
Getting info out of memory so we can use it
2 types
- recognition
- recall
Recognition
Type of retrieval
Matching current event with one already in memory
Recall
Type of retrieval
- extracting a memory with an external cue
Factors affecting retrieval
- serial position effect
- semantic network theory
- flash bulb memory
- mood-congruent memory
- state dependent memory
Serial position effect
- Shows how order is a factor in retrieval when memorizing a list of items
- primary effect and recency effect
- researched by Hermann ebbinghaus
Primary effect
- we are more likely to recall items presented at the beginning of a list
Recency effect
- we are more likely to recall items presented at the end of a list
Semantic network theory
- explains the tip of the tongue phenomenon
- brain makes memories by connecting meaning and context with meanings already in memory creating a web of interconnected memories
Tip of the tongue phenomenon
- temporary inability to remember information, by listing traits (context of the memory), you get closer and closer to recalling the info.
- explained by semantic network theory
Flash bulb memory
Vivid powerful memories we hold into because of the importance of an event surrounding it
- shows how context is important in retrieval
Mood congruent memory
- we recall items more easily when our mood matches the mood we had when we first experienced the item
State dependent memory
- We recall events more easily when our state of consciousness matches the state we had when first experiencing the event
Recovered memory phenomenon
- Claiming to suddenly remember event you have repressed for years, thru therapy
- many claims can be false- a constructed memory
Constructed memory
- recalling false details of a memory or creating an entirely false one.
- usly happens when asked insistent questions suggesting an event that in reality never happened did
- memories feel accurate to those recalling it
forgetting
Causes
- not using memory or connections to memory for a long time causes
- interference
- relearning effect
Relearning effect
- when you try to relearn a memory forgotten it will be a lot faster than if you had never learned that memory before
Interference
- One of the causes of forgetting
- info in your memory competes with what your trying to recall
2 types
- retroactive
- proactive
Retroactive interference
- how learning new info makes it harder to recall older info
Proactive interference
- How the existence of older info makes it harder to learn new info
Anterograde amnesia
People can’t encode new memories but they can recall events in memory
How memories are physically stored
- hippocampus encodes memories
- procedural memory stored in cerebellum
- long term memories made and strengthened with long term potentiation
Long term potentiation
When neurons are repeatedly firing, the connection is strengthened and the receiving neuron is more sensitive to that message- how long term memories are made and strengthened
Language
- made of phonemes which make morphemes which make words
- syntax- words put in a certain order
Phonemes
- smallest units of sound in a language
Ex: rolled r in Spanish
Morphemes
- smallest unit of meaningful sound in a language
Ex: a, but, prefixes
Syntax
How words are spoken or written in a certain order
Stages language acquisition
1) babbling- babies experiment with all diff phonemes they can make
2) begin to retain phonemes that pertain more to your primary lang
3) holophrastic stage
4) telegraphic speech
- overgeneralization
How language is acquired
Behaviorists
- thru operant conditioning and shaping, rewarded with smiles and encouragement
Cognitive
- children learn lang naturally without explicit instruction from parents
- born with language acquisition device
- critical period for learning Lang is in childhood
Holophrastic stage
Babies begin to speak in single words, around 1st bday
Telegraphic speech
When babies begin to combine words they can say into simple sentences
- know meaning
- still learning syntax and grammar rules
- overgeneralization
Overgeneralization
Misapplication of grammar rules in telegraphic speech
Noam Chomsky
Researcher who theorized humans born with language acquisition device and that childhood is critical period in language acquisition
Language acquisition device
How children can more quickly pick up a language
Thought
2 types
- concepts, can be based on prototypes
- images
- how ppl solve problems gives insight on thought
Concept
- type of thought
- cognitive rules we use to categorize and think about what we encounter
- can be based on prototypes
Prototypes
- what we think is the most typical example of a concept
Images (thought)
- a type of thought
- mental pics we create of the outside world
- can be of any 5 senses
Algorithms
- rule that guarantees the right solution to a problem by using a foolproof method
Problem solving methods
- algorithms
- heuristics
Heuristics
- rule generally but not always true that can be used to solve a problem based on our judgements
overconfidence skews judgements
- belief bias
- belief perseverance
2 types
- availability
- representativeness
Belief bias
We make illogical conclusions in order to confirm pre existing beliefs
Availability heuristic
- judging situation based on examples of similar past situations
Representativeness heuristic
- judging situation based on how similar aspects are to prototypes person holds in their mind
Belief perseverance
Tendency to maintain belief even when evidence is disproved
Problem solving mistakes
- rigidity
- confirmation bias
- framing
Rigidity
- tendency to fall into established thought patterns from past experiences with similar problems, prevents us from thinking a better solution
- problem solving mistake
- ex functional fixedness
Functional fixedness
Inability to see new use for an object
- type of rigidity
Confirmation bias
We tend to look for evidence that proves our existing beliefs and ignore evidence contradicting it
- problem solving mistake
Framing
- problem solving mistake
- how the way a problem is presented changes persons expectations and even their ability to solve problem
Creativity
- little correlation with intelligence and creativity
2 types
- convergent thinking
- divergent thinking
Convergent thinking
- type of creativity
- thinking pointed toward one solution
Divergent thinking
- type of creativity
- thinking searching for multiple possible answers to a question
